Wednesday, 18 October 2017

MEMBERS of Parliament across the political divide yesterday
demanded decent remuneration commensurate with their status in society, arguing
their salaries made them too poor to declare their assets as stipulated in the
new code of conduct and ethics which they are currently discussing.

The motion was introduced in the National Assembly by MDC-T
vice-president Nelson Chamisa, a member of the Standing Rules and Orders
Committee, so that MPs declare their assets in order to create public trust,
confidence and accountability.

Seconder of the motion Daniel Shumba (Masvingo Urban, Zanu
PF) added: “The first disclosure must be within 60 days of the date of opening
Parliament and swearing in of an MP. An amount of $4 500 per calendar year will
be measurable to provide a limit which MPs can receive gifts.”

But MPs said they had nothing to declare when they have
nothing and they were living like paupers and “ugly cousins of members of the
Executive and Judiciary”.

Buhera West MP Oliver Mandipaka (Zanu PF) said: “It is high
time authorities revisited perks of MPs because you cannot be asked to declare
assets when you have nothing. In all honesty, the perks we get are not fair
because we do enormous work for the betterment of the poor yet we are asked to
declare scotch carts or a bull.”

Mabvuku-Tafara MP James Maridadi (MDC-T) proposed the
setting-up of a Parliament Services Commission to look into their welfare.

Chamisa said the motion was meant to discuss the code of
ethics only, adding that Public Service minister Patrick Zhuwao would soon
bring a Bill before Parliament to discuss the remuneration of MPs. But, Mutasa
South MP Irene Zindi (Zanu PF) said the Bill on remuneration should have been
brought in first for discussion before the code of conduct and ethics. newsday